Nectarine tree named &#39;NSRED15268&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree denominated ‘NSRED15268’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet red blood colored flesh, and a very high percentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2017/3057 filed on Nov. 23, 2017 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NSRED15268’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of bloodnectarine tree, also named red colored flesh nectarine, Prunus persica(L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NSRED15268’.This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alterationboth on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very goodeating quality, semi clingstone dark red or blood red flesh fruits forfresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.Contrast is made to ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 23,357) for reliable description. ‘NSRED15268’ is a promisingcandidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruitswith very long shelf life without alteration both before and afterharvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NSRED15268’ red nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area ofthe south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it wastested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between700 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NSRED15268’ variety resulted from an open pollination of the‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357), whichwas used as the seed parent. Then, the pollen parent of the new variety‘NSRED15268’ remains unknown.

The ‘NSRED15268’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined tohave unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of thestandard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar.Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d′Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NSRED15268’ red nectarine tree bloomsduring March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.More particularly, it usually blooms between March 5^(th) and March14^(th). The blooming period is considered medium. However, it wasobserved that its date of blooming seems to be highly dependant onclimatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NSRED15268’ ripens generally during the second halfof July. More particularly, it usually ripens between July 16^(th) andJuly 24^(th). However, it was observed that its early date of maturityseems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a view of a tree of the newvariety in orchard, with branches bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a close view of a part of thetrunk of the new variety ‘NSRED15268’.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower sides ofleaves of the variety and three typical specimens of the fruit, onehaving been cut in halves with the stone being left into one of thehalves for depicting fruit flesh stone and stone cavity of the newvariety.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruitsof the new variety ‘NSRED15268’ at ripening time, one fruit having beencut in halves, the photograph showing one of the halves without thestone.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing a half fruit of the new variety,the stone having been removed from its cavity.

FIG. 7 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruitsof the new variety ‘NSRED15268’ at ripening time

FIG. 8 is a color photograph that show different views of the stone ofthe new variety.

The views of trees, trunk and flowers have been photographed in theirthird growing season (second year of production). The views of fruits,leaves and stones have been photographed in their second growing season(first year of production).

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NSRED15268’ is high, dueto fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in asemi-flared aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot ispresent excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning offlowering is considered medium; the flowering usually begins early inMarch. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size.Petals are colored in pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruitflesh is dark red, also named blood red. The fruit skin is medium thick,with a homogenous and dark purple red color on a red background. Thestone is semi clingstone and his size is medium. Fruit taste issemi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No.23,357), which is the seed parent of ‘NSRED15268’, the new variety showsa surprising blood dark red flesh color whereas the fruits of‘NECTARPERF’ present a white colored flesh.

The ripening time of the new variety ‘NSRED15268’ is considered medium,namely during the second half of July, whereas the fruits of the variety‘NECTARPERF’ ripen late during the season, namely at the end of Augustor early in September depending on the years.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of red nectarine tree, the following was observed ontrees in their second growing season (first year of production) forfruits, leaves and stones and on trees in their third growing season(second year of production) for the trees, flowers and trunk, under theecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the townof Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations havebeen done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677”trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S.(Royal Horticultural Society) Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided byThe Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—.        -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year            was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to            80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next            years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including            current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently            reduces to 250 cm the next years.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0            meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was            about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by            hectare.        -   Vigor.—Considered medium to strong vigorous.        -   Productivity.—The productivity is considered good and            regular, every year. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to            develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized            fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with the            prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices            employed during the bloom period and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered            homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1            year. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the            tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during            the years of observation.        -   Form.—The ‘NSRED15268’ variety has naturally a semi-flared            shape.        -   Density.—Considered dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on the same orchard in Elne,            Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter chilling            requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 700 hours and            1200 hours according to the specificities of the year,            namely 1031 hours in 2012-2013, 777 hours in 2013-2014, 893            hours in 2014-2015, 718 hours in 2015-2016, 825 hours in            2016-2017 and 1017 hours in 2017-2018 showed a good            behaviour of the trees in all cases. No damages were caused            by ascertained temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius in            winter. The tree was also very resistant to frosty            springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 67.0 to 78.0 millimeters in diameter            when measured at a distance of approximately 20.0            centimeters above the soil level on their third growing            season.        -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of            lenticels reaches 3 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range            in size approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters in height and            from approximately 4.0 to 7.0 millimeters in width.        -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a light orange color (RHS            Greyed Orange 165 B).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a brown (RHS Brown 200 C)            color.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter of approximately            4.0 to 6.0 millimeters, and branches in their second growing            season have a diameter from 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old            has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally of 45 degrees for the            current season shoots and 45 degrees for the mature branches            from the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is            not considered distinctive of the variety, however.        -   Internode length.—Generally between 22.0 and 26.0            millimeters for the current season shoots and between 30.0            and 35.0 millimeters for the mature branches.        -   Current seasons shoots.—.        -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered green (RHS            Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas            the upper part is darker and colored in purple-brown (RHS            Greyed Orange 176 A).        -   Surface texture.—Smooth, without lenticel.        -   Mature branches.—.        -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A or RHS            Grey Brown N199 A).        -   Surface texture.—The surface texture of mature branches is            rough, with small lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—The number of lenticels on mature branches            reaches 3 lenticels per cm2. The lenticels range in size            from approximately 0.5 to 1.0 millimeter in height and from            approximately 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters in width. The !enticel            are stretched round in shape.        -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels on mature branches have a            beige color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 C to RHS Greyed Orange            164 D).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 190.5 millimeters with leaf            petiole.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 51.75 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acute.        -   Leaf base form.—Acute.        -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.        -   Leaf color.—.        -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).        -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A) than            the upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous on both surfaces.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—.        -   Color.—The mid-vein or midrib is light green (RHS Yellow            Green 145 A). The color may evolve with maturity.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.        -   Lateral veins.—.        -   Color.—The lateral veins are considered a light green (RHS            Yellow Green 145 A) similar to the midrib color.        -   Leaf margins.—Crenate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or            two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).        -   Leaf petioles.—.        -   Size.—Considered medium to long.        -   Shape.—Ribbed.        -   Length.—About 12.0 to about 13.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.        -   Petiole color.—.        -   Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A).        -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B).        -   Leaf glands.—.        -   Size.—Considered medium. Their length is about 1.0            millimeter and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.        -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.        -   Type.—Round.        -   Color.—On older leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            brown color (RHS Brown 200 A).        -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.        -   Leaf stipules.—.        -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—.        -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are round in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 9.0 to 11.0            millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters            long. The distribution of the flower buds is considered            homogenous on the trees.        -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the            bottom of the flowers buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle,            formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown color at the outer            surface of the calyx (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed            Purple 187 B). The inner surface of the calyx is considered            orange yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 22 A) The corolla, formed            by the petals, is generally of pink color (RHS Red Purple 65            B). Petal and sepal color shows an evolution until the end            of flowering.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins early in            March. The first bloom was observed on March 7, 2016.        -   Blooming time.—Considered medium-season in relative            comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in            the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of            full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period.            The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions            and cultural practices. Thus, the first full bloom was            observed from Mar. 7 until Mar. 14, 2016, then from Mar. 5            until Mar. 12, 2017.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 days. This characteristic            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower (rosette type).        -   Flower size.—Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at            full bloom is approximately 36.0 to 39.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between            35 and 40 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a            high rate of fruit set.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—.        -   Generally.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—Generally between 20.0 to 21.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally 18.0 to 19.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth.        -   Arrangements of petals.—Overlapping.        -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored in pink            (RHS Red Purple 65 A to RHS Red Purple 65 B) when young,            becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Petal claw.—.        -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a triangular form,            narrower at the base.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters at the base.        -   Color.—A darker pink (RHS Red Purple 58 A) than the petal            color.        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly undulating.        -   Petal apex.—.        -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide-dome shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—.        -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of            approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 2.0            millimeters.        -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A).        -   Calyx.—.        -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open,            the inner surface of the calyx, or flower receptacle, is            matt and considered yellow orange (RHS Yellow Orange 21 B).            The outer surface of the calyx is considered of purple-brown            color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B).        -   Sepals.—.        -   Number.—Generally five sepals.        -   Shape.—Conic with a round tip.        -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Margins.—Smooth.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, the lower surface of the            sepals is greenish (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to RHS Yellow            Green 146 B). The upper surface of sepals is colored with a            purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to RHS Greyed Purple            187 B).        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 26 to 31            stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—.        -   Generally.—Medium in length, with a cordate shape.        -   Color.—Red color (RHS Red 46 A) to yellow color (RHS Yellow            8 A) depending on the maturity stage.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen production is considered important            and the pollen shows a yellow color (RHS Yellow 11 A to RHS            Yellow 11 B) which may evolve with maturity. The present            variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—.        -   Size.—Medium length, between 16.0 and 19.0 millimeters in            length. Filaments length is generally smaller than the            pistil's length or equal to the pistil's length.        -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White N155 D) to pink (RHS Red            Purple 63 C) depending on the maturity stage. The color            evolves and becomes darker during the blooming.        -   Pistil.—.        -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 21.0 to 23.0 millimeters including the            ovary. Generally higher than stamen length.        -   Color.—Considered green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B) to yellow            (RHS Yellow Green 151 B to RHS Yellow Green 151 C) depending            on the maturity stage.        -   Stigma.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter in diameter, with a            yellowish color (RHS Yellow Green 151 A).        -   Ovary.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.25 millimeters in height. The            diameter of the ovary is about 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters. The            color is considered green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions            (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 16, 2015.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NSRED15268            variety has a medium date of picking, and a grouped            maturity. The maturity is grouped within 6 to 8 days and the            harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known            picking times carry on from Jul. 16 to Jul. 23, 2015, then            from Jul. 16 to Jul. 23, 2016, then from Jul. 19 to Jul. 24,            2017 and then from Jul. 16 to Jul. 22, 2018.        -   Size.—.        -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Generally size 2A.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 68.0 to 71.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 64.0 to 68.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally about 170.0 grams. This            characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—.        -   Generally.—Round and regular. The fruit is generally            slightly asymmetric, viewed from the suture's plane.        -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending            from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or            stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.        -   Mucron.—Absent.        -   Suture.—.        -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar red color to the            whole fruit color (RHS Greyed Purple N 186 A to RHS Greyed            Purple N 186 B).        -   Ventral surface.—.        -   Form.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed.        -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Flared. The depth of the stem cavity is            considered medium, between 13.0 and 16.0 millimeters.            Average width is about 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—.        -   Thickness.—Considered medium thick and strong, and the            adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on            the fruit maturity.        -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous, without any pubescence, and            with few bumps.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—.        -   Blush color.—This blush color is dark purple red (RHS Greyed            Purple N186 A to RHS Greyed Purple N186 B). The red blush            covers almost 100% of the fruit skin surface on a red (RHS            Greyed Purple 185 A) background. The percentage of the blush            on the fruit skin surface can vary and is generally            dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the            fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color covers at the most 5% of the            fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS Greyed Purple            185 A).        -   Lenticels.—No lenticel is present on the skin surface.        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 7.0 to 8.0            millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).        -   Flesh.—.        -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long            shelf life.        -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at            harvest maturity stage.        -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet, sugary and very aromatic. The            Brix is generally superior to 12 and acidity comprised            between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml.        -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally 15.8 degrees. This characteristic varies            slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing            cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—The flesh of the new variety ‘NSRED15268’ is            colored in a dark red (RHS Red 46 A), also named blood red            color. Usually, the color is identical, i.e. dark red,            around the stone cavity (no white circle is observed around            the cavity).-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Semi clingstone, more or less adherent depending on            the fruit maturity.        -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size            varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop            load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 26.0 to 27.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 21.0 to 22.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 16.0 to 17.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Obovate.        -   Base.—Straight.        -   Apex.—.        -   Shape.—The stone apex is short, pointed.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with a form and            dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.        -   Stone surface.—.        -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.            The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent            generally and present basally.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—.        -   Width.—Considered small, and having a dimension of            approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—.        -   Shape.—Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered light brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B to RHS            Greyed Orange 164 C).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent, depending on            climatic conditions between blooming period and stone            hardening.        -   Kernel.—.        -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 8.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 5.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Obovate.        -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light brown color (RHS Greyed            Orange 164 A). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel,            is white (RHS White 155 D) and has a bitter tasting. The            kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit            maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NSRED15268’ is considered to be a            nectarine tree having a medium season of fruit maturity, and            which produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively            colored with a very dark purple red. The high content of            antioxidant in the red flesh convert fruits in a very            healthy product. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are            excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when            at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities.            Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can            also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit            or fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long-distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation            and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth            completion and after harvesting without alteration. After            growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.            After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks            at 2.0 degree Celsius.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            red blood nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the            flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal            harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to            handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life            without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4            weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree asillustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eatingquality and very long shelf life without alteration before and afterharvesting, with a semi-sweet red blood colored flesh, and a very highpercentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface.